The New York Yankees will be adding a shortstop for 2022, whether it’s a short-term option or not. They’ll also be looking for ways to transition top prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza into the mix, whether it be through moving Corey Seager to third base or signing a shorter-term solution.
Oh, and they’re the odds-on favorites to sign Roderick Arias, a 17-year-old shortstop who’s supposed to be the next Wander Franco. Not bad!
While we wait for that signing to become official so we can more emphatically insert the slugger into our future plans, Arias posted some more mouth-watering highlights on Halloweekend that’ll get you more excited for his MLB future.
One look at this teenager, and it’s clear the Franco comps aren’t overblown.
Arias is the consensus No. 1 international prospect for many reasons: bat-to-ball skills, the ability to control the zone, his plus arm potential … we could go on.
We won’t, though, because his light-tower power speaks for itself.
Top international prospect Roderick Arias, who is expected to sign with the Yankees, hits an absolute bomb 💣
— Eli Fishman (@elijfishman) October 30, 2021
🎥: Roderick Arias pic.twitter.com/3T43FFXs0P
Future Yankees shortstop prospect Roderick Arias has ridiculous power.
Want to feel old? When the 2004 Yankees collapsed to the Boston Red Sox, Arias was about one month old. That’s what the Yanks need. Literal toddlers who were too young to know the damage that series inflicted on a generation of Bombers.
Arias should be making the pact official soon — he can sign as early as January 2022 — at which point the Yankees will be adding a player renowned for his oppo pop, sprint speed, and legitimately every other ingredient that great prospects typically possess … but not all at once.
Oh, and did you know he can switch-hit?
16 year-old Roderick Arias is the No. 1 international prospect for the upcoming signing period beginning in January 2022
— Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) August 26, 2021
Yankees are the favorite to sign the 6'1" switch-hitting shortstop, according to MLB Pipeline pic.twitter.com/kCXWKkTWB9
It’s ridiculous to count on Volpe delivering beyond a shadow of a doubt, so suffice to say it’d be even more embarrassing to project Arias as a guarantee before he’s even inked the contract. The Yankees can’t plan for his talent at the MLB level, but they can hope for it to arrive. Based on the latest video package, the kid is developing quite nicely.
For those of you who believe the Yankees “sold the entire farm” for Joey Gallo, we’d recommend watching this video on loop. It’s only getting better.

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